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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Factsheet |
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| Backgrounder(s) & FactSheet(s): | Factsheet |
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KAMLOOPS – The Province is providing schools with an exciting, new educational computer gamethat will help improve student achievement by increasing students’ knowledge of British Columbia’s geography and economy, Education Minister Tom Christensen announced today.
“Crosscountry B.C. is a fun way for kids to learn about the province they live in,” said Christensen. “It uses the latest computer technology to make school more relevant. Government committed to improve computer literacy for students of all ages, and this innovative software is one of the ways we are accomplishing that.”
Crosscountry B.C. is a customized version of the popular travel game Crosscountry Canada that was created by Ingenuity Works, a B.C.-based educational software developer. Students ‘drive’ around B.C. in a virtual 18-wheeler transport truck discovering important facts about the communities and industries that make up the province. The company worked with several B.C. schools to ensure the content is relevant and localized.
“We are very excited about Crosscountry B.C.,” said Teresa Mew, director of content for Ingenuity Works. “We’ve been impressed with the quality of the material provided by schools and the enthusiasm of everyone who participated.”
The interactive program allows students to become long-distance truck drivers. They must pick up commodities, such as aircraft parts, apples or lumber, and deliver them to various cities and towns around B.C. As they play, students will learn:
· Facts about British Columbia (weather, terrain, cities, population, industries)
“This is an exciting learning tool that teachers can use to motivate students,” said Christensen. “Students perform better when their interest is sparked, and Crosscountry B.C. can do that.”
Crosscountry B.C. is being delivered to all public schools and most independent schools with students in grades 4 through 9. Students can also order a CD-ROM version of the game from Ingenuity Works for use at home. -30-
For more information on AchieveBC, visit http://www.achievebc.ca.
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